Account-filing device.



P. A. McCASKEY.

' ACCOUNT FILING DEVICE.

APPLICATION rum) rnn.4,1914.

1,106,05 1 Patented Aug. 4, 19m

2 SHEETS-SHEEP 2.

227255555; ZZZ/E2210]:

By ZS RIWgLMAWQ AW THE NORRIS PETERS C(L, PHOTU'LITHO. WASHINGTON. D C

PERRY A. MCCASKEY, OF LAKEWOOD, OHIO.

ACCOUNT-FILING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 4,1914.

Application filed February 4, 1914. Serial No. 816,398.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PERRY A. MoCAsKnY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lakewood, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Account-Filing Devices, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates, generally, to imn'ovemcnts in that class of account filing devices shown in my copending application, Serial No. 788,617, filed September 8th, 1913; the same comprising a casing within which is adapted to be removably supported a stack of leaves, each leaf whereof is provided with a number of account slip holding devices, the lower edges of the leaves being connected by an extensible hinge which will permit of a limited separation of the hinge portion of the leaves; the present invention relating particularly to an ex tensible hinge which is an improvement on the hinge shown in the above application; and to novel means for supporting said hinge within the casing.

The objects of this invention are to pro vide a very substantial and rigid extensible hinge of comparatively simple construction, and one that can be economically produced; to provide a hinge for the purpose above stated, that comprises a plurality of telescoping channel. members, each member whereof has pivotal connection with one of the leaves of the account filing device, the construction of the hinge being such as will permit of the attachment of additional chan' nel members (and leaves) as desired; and to provide a hinge of the aforesaid character which, when supporting the leaves within t e casing will permit of a limited separation thereof, and which, when removed from the casing, will enable the leaves to be packed closely together, the length of the hinge under such condition, being no greater than the width of the pack of leaves.

A further object comprehended by my present invention is the provision of adjustable means for supporting the hinges within the casing, the adjustment compensating for the increase in length of the hinges resulting from the attachment of additional channel members.

The above and further objects which will become apparent as this description proceeds are attained by a construction set forth in the annexed claims and illustrated in the accmnpanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein- Figure 1 represents a front elevation of an account filing device embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional, side elevation of the account filing device shown in Fig. 1, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 2-9 of said Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the stack of leaves removed from the casing and compacted; Fig. 4 is a section through the hinge supporting members, showing the hinges and a portion of an fltiJtlCGIlllleaf in elevation, the location of said section being indicated by the line 4t 1 of Fig. 5; Fig. 5 represents a central vertical section through one of the hinges, the adjustable supporting means therefor, and adjacent portions of the leaves; Fig. 6 is a transverse section through the stack of leaves adjacent one of the hinges, the stack of leaves being shown compacted as in Fig. 3; Fig. 7 is a perspective of one of the hinges in an inverted position, the hinge rods of the leaves being shown in dot-and-dash lines in said view; and 9 are perspective views of one of the outer and one of the inner hinge members, respectively; Figs. 10 and 11 are perspectives, respectively, of the outer and inner hinge members which form the upper end of the respective hinges, or that end which has connection with the hinge supporting means; while Fig. 12 represents, in perspective, the member whereby the hinges are supported.

The casing of the account tiling device shown in Figs. 1 and 9., comprises a base 1, a rear wall 52, which rises from one edge of the base, and a pair of end pieces 3, which project forwardly along the side edges of the base from the vertical edges of the rear wall 2. Fitted within the corner bctweenthe base 1 and the rear wall 2, and spaced a short distance from the end pieces 3, are two tri-- angular blocks 4, to the inclined surface of each of which is secured, by the screws 5, the upwardly opening supporting channel 6. The upper end of each of the side walls of the supporting channels 6 is provided with a series of holes 7. A supporting member 8, which is of inverted U-shape in cross section, is adapted to be held in various positions within the upper end of each of the supporting channels 6 by a cotter pin 9 which passes through the holes 10 in the sides of the sup- Figs. 8 i

porting member 8 and is adapted to project through any set of the holes 7 of the aforesaid series. The supporting member 8 has a hooked projection which rises from its upper surface, the purpose of which will be mentioned hereinafter.

Hy improved extensible hinge will now be described. In Fig. 8 l have shown in perspective what I term an outer channel member which forms one of the units or links of my extensible hinge; and in Fig. 9 I have shown a similar view of one of the inner channel members or links thereof. From Fig. 8 it will be seen that each of the side walls of the outer channel member 12 is provided with a central aperture 13, and near its ends with apertures 141. Each end of the side wall is notched at 15 for a purpose which will become apparent as the description proceeds; and itwill be observed that the apertures 13 and 1 1 and the notches 15 are in alinement. Each of the side walls of the inner channel members 16 is provided with a central aperture 17, and each end 7f said side wall is provided with a notch 18, similar to the notches 15 of the outer channel members. Intermediate the central aperture 17 and the notches 18 are slots 19, and these slots, the aperture 17, and the notches 18 are in alinement.

Now it will be seen from Fig. 7, wherein I have shown the assemblage of my improved extensible hinge, that the inner channel members 16 are of a width corresponding substantially to the distance betwen the inner surfaces of the opposed side walls of the outer channel members 12, and that the former channel members 16 are of a depth equal. to the inside vertical dimension of the channel members 12. When the inner and outer channel members are fitted together, the openings in their side walls are in a common plane. It is apparent from the drawings that the inner and outer channel members are arranged alternately throughout the length of the hinge, and that they are slidably connected by pins 20, the ends of which are secured within the holes 1-il of the outer channel members 12 (as by riveting) and that said pins pass through the slots 19 of the inner channel members 16. The end channel members of the hinges are shorter than those which constitute the central portions thereof, and the purpose of shortening these end members will be explained presently.

The leaf which I employ in connection with the present form of my invention is practically the same as that shown in my former application above referred to, and it consists of a sheet metal body portion 21. the lower edge of which is turned about a rod or wire 22. Strips 23 form the ends of each leaf, and each side of each leaf is divided into sections, by shallow partitions or strips 2-1, each of said sections containing two spring clips 25 whereby account slips may be held in place upon the leaf.

The lower edge of each leaf is provided with two notches 26, each of which is of a width corresponding substantially to the width of one of the outer channel members 12 of the hinge, and that portion of the rod or wire 22 which extends across the lower end of each of the notches 26 passes through the respective apertures 13 or 17 of tie outer or inner channel members, whichever the case may be. It will be stated here that, for a purpose which will become apparent further along in this description, one of the notches 26 of each leaf contains an outer channel member 12 while the other notch of the same leaf contains an inner channel member 16.

As set forth in the beginning of this description, one of the purposes of the hinge shown herein is to permit the leaves to be stacked closely together when they are removed from the casing (as shown in Figs. 3

and 6). It will be seen, especially from an inspection of Fig. 6, that if the end links or channel members of the hinge were as long as the others, their outer ends would project beyond the outer planes of their respective leaves and to avoid this the end links of the hinge are of a length substantially half that of the remaining links. The short inner link is designated 16, and the apertures in its side walls through which the rod 22 of the outer leaf extends, are designated 17. In like manner I have designated the short outer channel member 12 while the holes within its side walls through which the rod 22 of the outer leaf of the stack projects, is indicated by 13 Fig. 6 discloses the purpose of the notches 15 and 18 of the respective channel members 12 and 1G by showing that the extreme con.- traction of the hinge is realized when the rods 22 of the various leaves occupy said notches.

The means for supporting the hinges within the casing has already been described, and the method of applying the hinges to the supporting means will now be explained. Vith the leaves arranged about as shown in Fig. 8, and that leaf which is intended to occupy a position adjacent the rear wall 2, farthest from the operator, the portions of the rod 22 of said leaf, which pass through the hinges, are hooked over the projections 11 of the supporting members 8. To facilitate the accomplishment of this, the web of the short channel memhere which form the upper ends of the hinges are provided with sight openings Supported in the aforesaid manner, the hinge will lengthen out through the weight of the leaves to the position shown in Fig. 5, when the upper ends of the leaves may loo fall back toward and be supported by the upper end of the rear Wall 2 of the casing,

increasing the capacity of my account filing device by the attachment of additional leaves when desired, is easily attained by the construction of my improved hinge. To illustrate, let it be assumed that the user of one of my account filing devices wishes to increase the capacity of his filing device by one leaf. He is supplied with a leaf having an inner and an outer channel member attached thereto. The user disconnects the channel members at the lower ends of the hinges (considering the position of the hinges as being that which they occupy in the casing) by removing the appropriate pins 20, and inserts the new leaf between the outer leaf of the set and the one which was formerly adjacent to it, connecting the channel members, thereafter, by pins 20. This, of course, would require an interchanging of the short channel members carried by the outer leaf, in order to preserve the alternative arrangement of the inner and outer channel members of the respective hinges, it being impossible, in fact, to assemble the hinge otherwise. While I prefer to hold the pins 20 in place by slightly upsetting the ends thereof, it is obvious that screws may be substituted for such pins, in order to facilitate the attachment of additional leaves.

Now in order that the account filing device may appear complete even though it contains but few leaves, it is necessary that the outer leaf be spaced only a short distance from the base 1; and it is necessary, also, that this distance, or elevation of the front leaf, be maintained regardless of the number of leaves which may be added, from time to time, to the device. To provide for this, I make the supporting members 8 adjustable Within the channels 6 as previously set forth, by the provision of the series of holes 7 for the reception of the ends of the cotter pins 9.

As a matter of economy of space, as well as appearance, it is desirable to have the ends of the leaves approach as closely as practicable, the end pieces 3 of the casing; and in such an arrangement it is essential that the leaves be held against any lateral movement whatever. The maintenance of the leaves in a central position is assured by the following facts; the width of the notches 26 of the leaves are only enough wider than the outer channel members 12 to secure free dom of movement; the outer channel members fit over the inner channel members closely enough to prevent any appreciable sidewise movement between the members;

and (as clearly shown in Fig. 4) the inside dimension of the inner channel member is the same as the outside cross dimension of the supporting channels 6. It will also be remembered that one of the notches of each of the leaves 21 contains an outside channel member 12. In view of these facts, it is obvious that practically no lateral movement of the leaves is permitted.

Having thus described my invention, what I claimis:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a plurality of leaves, a hinge therefor comprising a series of telescoping members slidably connected together, and an independent pivotal connection between each leaf and the hinge memher.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a plurality of leaves, a hinge therefor comprising a series of telescoping channel members slidably connected, and an independent pivotal connection between each leaf and one of said members.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a plurality of leaves, an extensible hinge therefor comprising a plurality of alternate inner and outer channel members, the inner members telescoping within the outer members and the inner members being provided with slots, means projecting from the outer members into the slots of the inner members whereby said members are slidably connected, and means pivotally connecting a leaf to each channel member.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of a plurality of leaves, an extensible hinge therefor comprising a series of inner and a series of outer channel members, the members of one series alternating with those of the other and the inner members telescoping within the outer members, the men'lbers of one of the series having slots in the walls thereof, means carried by the members of the other series and project- .ing into said walls whereby the channel members are slidably connected, and means pivotally connecting a leaf to each of said members.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a plurality of leaves, an extensible hinge comprising a series of alternating inner and outer channel members, the inner members being telcscoped within the outer members and having slots in their side walls and the outer members having means projecting into said slots whereby the inner and outer members are slidably connected, and means pivotally connecting a leaf to each channel member.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a plurality of leaves, an extensible hinge comprising a series of alternating inner and outer channel members, the

inner members being telescoped within the outer members and having slots in their side walls, means extending between the side walls of the outer channel members and through the slots of the inner members, whereby the inner and outer members are slidably connected, and means pivotally con necting a leaf to each channel member.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination of a plurality of leaves, an extensible hinge comprising a series of hollow members, a series of members alternating with and adapted to telescope within the hollow members, the members of one series having openings, means carried by the members of the other series and projecting into and movable to and fro within said openings, and means pivotally connecting a leaf to each of said hinge members.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination of a plurality of leaves each having a pivot rod, a hinge comprising a series of telescoping channel members slidably connected together, each channel memher having a centrally located hole in each of its side walls through which a leaf rod extends, the ends of the side walls of each channel member being notched.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination of a-plurality of leaves each provided with a rod carried by and extending along one of its edges, a hinge comprising a series of telescoping channel members slidably connected together and each having a centrally located aperture in each of its side walls through which the rod of a leaf extends, the overlapping ends of the side walls of the channel members being notched, said series of channel members comprising also an end member which is shorter than the other members and having apertures located near the outer ends of its side walls for the reception of the rod of a leaf.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of a plurality of leaves, a hinge comprising a series of telescoping slidably connected members, each member having a leaf pivoted to its central portion, said series also including a pair of end members which are shorter than the first mentioned members, and a pivotal connection between a leaf and the outer ends of each of said end members.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination of a series of leaves, a hinge connecting said leaves and consisting of alternating inner and outer channel members having their side walls projected downwardly. means pivotally connecting the leaves to said channel members, a casing, and an inclined channel member in said casing, said channel member having its side walls or flanges projected upwardly, the inner members of the hinge being of a width to receive within the side walls thereof the upwardly projecting side walls of the inclined channel member.

12. A device of the character set forth comprising, in combination, a series of leaves, and a pair of extensible hinges connecting their adjacent edges, each hinge consisting of a series of telescoping inner and outer channel members which are slidably connected, each side wall of each of the channel members having an aperture, the.

lower edge of each leaf having a pair of notches each of which is of a width corresponding to the width of one of the outer channel members, one of said notches containing an inner and one an outer channel member, and a rod carried by the leaf and extending across the aforesaid notches and passing through the apertures in the side walls of the channel members.

13. A device of tt-he character set forth comprising, in combination, a series of leaves, and a pair of extensible hinges connecting their adjacent edges, each hinge consisting of a series of telescoping inner and Outer channel members which are slidably connected, each side wall of each of the channel members having an aperture, the lower edge of each leaf having a pair of notches each of which is of a width corresponding to the width of an outer channel member, one of said notches containing an inner and one an outer channel member, and a rod carried by the leaf and extending across the aforesaid notches and passing through the apertures in the side walls of the channel members, the channel members of the hinges opening downwardly, and means for supporting each of the hinges which is of a width equal to the inside, transverse dimension of the inner channel members.

14. A device of the character set forth comprising, in combination, a series of leaves, and a pair of extensible hinges connecting their adjacent edges, each hinge consisting of a series of telescoping channel. members which are slidably connected, each member having pivoted to it one of the leaves of the device, the channel members of the hinges opening downwardly, and means for supporting each of the hinges, which means comprise an upwardly opening inclined channel, a member which is arranged to be supported in various positions within the channel, said member having a projection which is adapted to cooperate with the rod of the adjacent end leaf where it extends between the side walls of the end channel member.

15. A, device of the character set forth comprising, in combination, a series of leaves, and a pair of extensible hinges connecting their adjacent edges, each hinge consisting of a series of telescoping channel members which are slidably connected, each member having pivoted to it one of the leaves of the device, the channel members of the hinges opening downwardly, and means for supporting each of the hinges, which means comprise an upwardly opening inclined channel, a member which is arranged to be supported in various positions within the channel, and means for detachably connecting the end channel member of the hinge to said member.

16. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a series of account leaves and an extensible hinge comprising two series of channel members, the members of one series being of such width as to telescope within the members of the other series and fit closely therewithin and the members of one series alternating with those of the other series, and a pivotal connection between each channel member and a leaf, there being a lost-motion connection between each 20 channel member and the member adjacent thereto.

17. A device of the character set forth comprising, in combination, a series of leaves, each leaf having one of its edges notched and turned around a wire certain portions of which are exposed through the notches in the edge of the leaf, and a plurality of telescoping channel members pivotally connected to the exposed portions of said wires.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

PERRY A. MCCASKEY.

lVitnesses BRENNAN B. WVns'r, HUGH B. MOGILL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). G. 

